Strengths and Weaknesses
Oh before I begin, I ended my internship today! (wow that word almost read as relationship, not that I am in one anyway) Anywayyy, so I’m gonna be free most of the time 
Yes, many of us have been to various interviews and one favorite question being asked is,
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?“
I am no exception. I have been to many interviews and I must say that all the answers which I have given hitherto may not have been so truthful.
Because I really don’t know what they are exactly. Or I have only a vague clue about it. Or I mention some but fail to mention all because I simply can’t dig it out from my mind. Do you know yours?
Yeah let’s be honest. We (at least I do) tend to think that we are good people, making it hard for us to actually spot and wrestle with some weaknesses. But of course, I know that in reality, I have lots of weaknesses. It is rather hard to come to terms with it. Or to actually state it out clearly that so and so are your weaknesses. It makes you vulnerable. It causes you to be less in the eyes of the interviewer. I actually answered the weaknesses part one time saying, “Oh, my weaknesses are the things which I cannot do, that which I have no talent for.” That is not a weakness at all! As if I had no other weaknesses!
And then there is the strengths part. People tell me that you should be thick-skinned here, but sometimes I don’t know whether the answer I give is really my strength, or perhaps I am only mentioning the 10th best strength, while the best strengths wait to be uncovered? I am afraid that I wouldn’t realise my REAL STRENGTH amidst the many little apparent strengths.
But it ain’t about interviews is it? Knowing exactly what your weaknesses and strengths are puts us in a mode of power where we would be able to control our lives and take the bull by the horns. We would know what to avoid and what to magnify. However I feel that I don’t like to think about this in my life. I just want to hurry along and do what I think I am good at. I tend to dismiss this question and just live life as I please, neither fixing the flaws nor enlarging the strengths.
I think that the hardest part of all is to be truthful to yourself. I think that the greatest conqueror would be the one who can answer this question comprehensively and use the answers as an empowering tool in their lives. Once this question is answered, you can live your life in the direction of the Strength (in other words, the main Gift that God has given you) and carve your life in such a way that the weaknesses are either minimized, overcome, or made perfect in God’s strength.
I still don’t know. I need to really look inside again. Oh yes, mirrors found in friends and family would definitely help. Thinking on my own might just lead me to beat about the bush.
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If I get that question in the interview, I will answer that I am meticulous and reliable, and that is my strength. However, I lack the confidence to be assertive. That is my weakness. (Tried to think of this in a few seconds ROFL.)
I can’t mention strengths like being sensitive and good judge of character, because those don’t make me a good employee. XD Or if I mention them here, I’ll get whacked for being thick-skinned.
Indeed, I’ll confess that I don’t focus on my weaknesses when it comes to communicating with outside world. In the interviews, definitely I won’t mention them unless asked, because blurting it out makes you look worse in the eyes of the interviewers, which is really saddening.
Yes, it helps to know your strengths and weaknesses, because it gives you an idea of what you can do and cannot do in life. (Example: I am no good at persuading people… that means no politics or sales.) I can work on my weaknesses once I know them as well.
Amen on weaknesses being overcome. When we realize our weaknesses, our eyes are opened to our dependence on God, and when we rely on God, indeed His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, and when we excel in things we never thought we can, we know it is Him. (Example: My speaking with the Oldham Hall students. My A for Economics.) Give thanks for strengths. Rely on God for weaknesses. (Of course work on it too le.)
What I am doing to find out strengths and weaknesses: Pray about it; also use discernment and look back in your life so far… what have you done well? what do your friends and family say about [so and so]? God gives us wisdom and logical reasoning to be used. ^^
@Ome: True indeed. Looking back into our past and seeing what we have done well is a good gauge. Some of us have very apparent talents and gifts in certain areas, while others it might not be so apparent. I think it is important to do what we think we are really good at and on top of that have a great deal of fun and passion while pursuing it.
And yes, as you said, be surprised when you actually discover new aptitudes along the way! A new strength uncovered!
Nice blog.
In general, I think we are all inadequate people. There’ve been many occasions in my life when I’d ponder upon my own person, draw conclusions about my strengths and weaknesses, and by the next day, fail at the very thing I was supposed to be strong at.
Even what others see can be misleading. For instance, a close friend once told me that I’m a forgiving and non-judgmental person. But I know that’s hardly the case. I know my mind is quick to draw conclusions on people and be critical about minor things. It may simply be that I seldom express these views.
Introspection can be a good thing. But I think there may be an inherent problem with the idea of looking within, finding your faults/strengths, working on changing/enhancing them. It can make us self-abosrbed people who put too much stock in their own efforts to see and change things.
I find that for my life thus far, the times when my good traits are manifested best (and bad traits least) are the times when my relationship with God is going well, and my focus is consistently on Him. And the moment I start priding myself in my own efforts in this, I begin to fall into the same bad habits once more.
Greatness and perfection are ideals that man has aspired to through the course of history. But we already know that the answer lies not in ourselves, but in God.
@bluebereft:
Hi there! Thanks for dropping by.
Hmmm yup I guess the main thing is to remain focused on God and not rely on our own strengths and weaknesses to go by… and sometimes our very weaknesses can be put to use by God and be made perfect.
However, all if us would have to go through some interview at some point or another so perhaps just coming out with a conscious list of strengths or weaknesses would do us a favor. I believe that knowing our weaknesses also make up stronger people as in we know where our limitations lie etc, and where we stumble, so we can take action against it.